Retina

Laser burn to the retina of a single eye can compromise the immune privilege of the fellow eye.

The retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell mosaic has been imaged for the first time in a living retina using an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO), according to a report published in the March issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

The recommendations for 'the use of single use instruments where possible' when performing 'high-risk' surgical procedures, has not only led to a growth in the single use market segment, but has stimulated massive reform in decontamination procedures, creating increased demand globally for reusable instruments due to new processes and longer lead times.

Ocular nutraceutical company, EyeScience Labs, LLC, has launched www.EyeScience.com that aims to meet the need for comprehensive information and education on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a watch-and-learn video format.

An electromagnetic deformable mirror reduces the impact of ocular aberrations on imaging for clearer results, according to Gisele Soubrane.

Paul Sternberg assesses the new approaches and exciting pipeline of potential dry AMD treatments.

Sirion Therapeutics Inc and Advanced Vision Research Inc (AVR) have agreed to co-promote AVR's MacuTrition (a nutritional supplement promoting retinal health) and NutiDox Convenience Kit (a meibomian gland therapy) in the US.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, supported by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), has launched "Be AMD Aware", a campaign to raise awareness of the risk factors for and symptoms of age-related macular generation (AMD) among those aged 55 and over in the UK.

Consumption of antioxidants may enable retinal degeneration patients to preserve vision even while vascular abnormalities continue to exist, concluded a study published online ahead of print by the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Metrics other than visual acuity (VA) and visual field (VF) may be useful for assessing retinitis pigmentosa (RP), according to study results published in the February issue of Eye.

It is not necessary for patients to remain face-down for more than 24 hours to ensure successful macular hole closure, according to study results published online ahead of print by the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Incisions made during sutureless vitrectomy may allow the entry of ocular surface fluid soon after surgery, according to study results published in the February 2009 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

No clear link between cataract surgery and progressive age-related macular degeneration (AMD) could be established by a study published in the February issue of Ophthalmology.

A single intravitreal injection of 4.0 mg vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Trap-Eye is associated with bioactivity against diabetic macular oedema (DME), according to study results published in the January issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Various imaging devices fail to identify localized retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) defects, according to a study published in the January issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Dr Maeve O'Doherty discusses the literature review she conducted to determine best practice in the treatment of diabetic macular oedema.

Dr Richard Kaiser outlines the recommendations of the microsurgical safety task force.

Professor Scott Cousins explains how we can use our knowledge of drusen formation to find new ways to combat dry age-related macular degeneration.

Lucentis (ranibizumab; Novartis) has been approved for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Japan, Novartis has announced.

ASP-440 - a protease, developed by ActiveSite Pharmaceuticals and an inhibitor of plase kallikrein - may provide an effective therapeutic treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR), according to study results published in the February 2009 issue of Hypertension.

Iplex (mecasermin rinfabate), a complex of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhIGF-I) and its predominant binding protein IGFBP-3 (rhIGFBP-3) developed for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), has been granted orphan drug designation by the EMEA, according to a statement from Iplex developers Insmed Inc and Premacure AB.

MacuCLEAR and Mystic Pharmaceuticals are to collaborate on MacuCLEAR's upcoming Phase I/II trials of MC 1101 for the treatment and prevention of progression of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

International Stem Cell Corporation has begun preclinical testing of a stem cell treatment for retinal disease including macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.

The Phase III trial of microplasmin for the treatment of back of the eye disease has been initiated, according to a statement from ThromboGenics NV, the developer of microplasmin.

The level of various inflammatory factors in the vitreous fluid is a significant factor in the severity of diabetic macular oedema (DME), according to study results published in the January issue of Ophthalmology.

Fixation stability influences the visual outcome following macular hole surgery, according to study results published in the January issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

Eyes treated with peripheral retinal cryotherapy lose accommodative amplitude after surgery, according to results of a study published in the January 2009 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

NeoVista's epiretinal brachytherapy has been granted a compassionate waiver by the FDA to treat advanced wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a patient who was not eligible for inclusion in NeoVista's current trials of the product.

A pilot study using Iluvien (an intravitreal insert delivering fluocinolone acetonide) to treat geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has begun enrolling patients, according to a statement from Alimera Sciences Inc, the developer of Iluvien.

Patients with type 1 diabetes who have been treated with intensive therapy have significantly lower incidences of retinopathy progression up to ten years, according to study results published in the December issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.